Actor Bill Paxton dies at 61

New York, Feb 27 (IANS) US actor Bill Paxton, a favourite go-to cast member for director James Cameron, who appeared in films such as “The Terminator,” “Aliens,” “True Lies” and “Titanic,” has died at 61.

“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery,” Efe news agency quoted a family spokesperson as saying on Sunday.

Paxton, one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and popular actors, began his entertainment career working in the art department of dozens of small productions and ended up by becoming a frequent face in the casts of action films in the 1980s and 1990s, with roles in films such as “Commando,” “Predator 2,” “Tombstone,” “Apollo 13” and “Twister.”

“Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable,” read the communique.

Paxton, born in Fort Worth, Texas, moved to Los Angeles at age 18 and found work at New World Pictures. His first film was “Crazy Mama” (1975), a production by Roger Corman directed by Jonathan Demme.

He moved to New York to study acting under the supervision of Stella Adler and landed small parts, such as his performance in “Stripes” (1981), opening the way for his longstanding and productive relationship with Cameron, who hired him for a role in “The Terminator” (1984).

His career bloomed from there, with roles in “Vertical Limit,” “Spy Kids,” “2 Guns,” “Edge of Tomorrow” and “Nightcrawler,” although in recent years he was more popular for his television series work on “Big Love” and on the “Hatfields and McCoys” miniseries, in which he starred with Kevin Costner.

The day before he died, he had finished work on the first four episodes of his latest project, playing Det. Frank Rourke in “Training Day,” a TV adaptation of the thriller for which Denzel Washington won an Oscar.